How PTSD and Addiction Are Treated at Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers

Post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction commonly co-occur due to the way both health disorders interfere with your brain chemistry. When left untreated, PTSD and addiction can cause you to get stuck in a vicious cycle of ongoing trauma, depression, and anxiety that can worsen your overall physical and mental health. Fortunately, inpatient drug rehab centers can treat you for both conditions so you can emerge from rehab knowing how to cope with PTSD without turning to drugs and alcohol.

Nobody should have to overcome addiction on their own without help, including you. If you’re suffering from addiction and PTSD or another mental health disorder, call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-430-1407Who Answers? to find inpatient drug rehab centers that can treat both conditions.

Here’s a close look at how PTSD and addiction are treated at most inpatient drug rehab centers. Suffering from PTSD and addiction at the same time is known as dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders.

Detox and Withdrawal

After detoxing, you will likely attend cognitive behavioral therapy.

Detoxification is usually the first stage of addiction treatment. Before you can undergo therapy to manage PTSD, you must overcome physical dependency on drugs and alcohol. Detox and withdrawal can be difficult to overcome, since you may experience several unpleasant symptoms associated with quitting drinking or drug use.

Most inpatient drug rehab centers prescribe medications that help reduce or eliminate drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. For instance, those who struggle with opioid addiction may be prescribed medications like methadone and buprenorphine that completely eliminate opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Those who struggle with alcohol addiction may be given medications that lower the risk for seizures.

After detoxing your body of drugs and alcohol, you’ll have the mental clarity needed to move on to cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

PTSD is commonly treated at inpatient drug rehab centers using cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps you understand and identify certain thoughts that worsen PTSD symptoms. CBT can help you change your current thought processes, and teach you how to overcome trauma using healthier coping mechanisms.

For instance, if you’re suffering from PTSD as a result of being in the military and making decisions that caused you to lose soldiers at war, CBT helps you understand that the trauma you’re experiencing is not your fault. You’ll also learn how to stop fearing painful memories from the past so you can move forward with living a healthier, more fulfilling life free of guilt, pain, and related emotions.

CBT is also helpful at helping you overcome other underlying causes of addiction. For example, if you’re turning to drugs and alcohol to manage stress unrelated to PTSD, you can learn healthier ways to manage stress that don’t involve substances, such as exercise and deep breathing.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Addiction

Aftercare Programs

Most inpatient drug rehab centers offer aftercare programs designed to help you stay clean and sober indefinitely following addiction treatment. These programs consist of ongoing individual and group counseling sessions, as well as support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and various PTSD support groups. A top benefit to attending aftercare programs is learning new tips and tricks from other recovering addicts that help you avoid relapse and stay sober.

Don’t allow PTSD and addiction to take over your life and keep you in poor health. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-430-1407Who Answers? to speak with an addiction counselor about nearby inpatient drug rehab centers that can help you overcome co-occurring disorders and achieve lifelong sobriety.